The Empire Podcast - Buying And Selling Websites | Investing In Online Assets And Businesses

Note: In this episode, Greg is interviewed on the SirLinksalot's SEO Podcast. We’re sharing the interview here so that you don’t miss out on the useful M&A insights that Greg shares. Greg returns to the SirLinksalot's SEO Podcast to share his insights from selling over 2,400 businesses and playing a part in turning 90 people into millionaires. Few people have a front-row seat to the changing landscape of online business like he does. In this episode, Greg dives into what really makes an online business sellable today, drawing from years of experience watching deals happen behind the scenes. They also explore the booming trend of faceless YouTube channels, why they’re exploding in popularity, and how creators are building entire empires without ever showing their faces. Of course, no conversation about the future of digital business would be complete without AI. Greg shares his perspective on how artificial intelligence is transforming the way entrepreneurs operate, scale, and exit their businesses in a r

Amazon is more competitive than ever. Between rising fees, tariff hikes, and a flood of new sellers, standing out takes more than just great products. Few people understand this reality better than Jason Boyce. An Amazon veteran, Jason launched the very first basketball hoop business on the platform back in 2003, long before Amazon became the giant it is today. After selling his brand, he went on to build a successful agency, Avenue 7 Media, dedicated to helping other Amazon sellers grow. In this episode, Jason reveals why retail media is now essential for growth and how sellers can tap into it to target customers more effectively than ever before. Jason also shares his seven proven avenues for profitable growth, explores how AI is reshaping the future of agencies and entrepreneurs, and gives practical advice for tackling today’s biggest challenges, from tariffs to rising fees. We also dive into why discounting and underpricing your products is a losing game, and Jason highlights the macro trends every Amazon

Affiliate marketing is far from dead. In fact, it’s evolving faster than ever. While many have written it off as an outdated model, the smartest affiliates are quietly cashing in by adapting to shifts in algorithms, AI, and consumer behavior. In this week’s podcast, Greg sits down with Niels Zee, affiliate entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of Afframp. Niels breaks down what’s working in 2025 and how top affiliates continue to rack up big wins. Niels shares how the Google Helpful Content Update completely reshaped his entrepreneurial journey, pushing him to rethink strategies and embrace adaptability. He reveals why pivoting and staying flexible are the real superpowers for affiliates, and how to scale faster with tactics like negotiating above-market commission rates and using Google Ads to supercharge campaigns. We also dive into how to build long-term sustainability instead of chasing short-term wins, and how to evaluate offers that are actually worth promoting. Plus, Niels uncovers today’s most promisin

Personal brands are all the rage, marketed as the ultimate path to business growth and success. But what if the very thing that makes you stand out is also what’s keeping your business from scaling, or worse, from selling? In this week’s podcast, Greg Elfrink uncovers the hidden downsides of personal branding and why it’s not always the golden ticket people make it out to be. We break down Alex Hormozi’s personal branding journey, looking at how his meteoric rise highlights both the power and the pitfalls of building around a personal brand. While the strategy can create visibility, Greg explains why it often makes businesses fragile: customers are buying you, not the product. That dependence makes it difficult to delegate, grow, or eventually exit. That doesn’t mean personal brands have no place. As Greg points out, they’re valuable for thought leaders and creators building authority. But for founders who want freedom and scalability, relying too heavily on a personality creates risk. Even more concerning, w

For years, many agency owners mistakenly believed that marketing agencies couldn’t be sold. But that myth is fading fast, and buyers are hungrier than ever to acquire agencies. In this episode, Greg Elfrink explains why he thinks we’re in the golden age of marketing agencies. He dives into why buyers are actively hunting agencies to grow their portfolios, highlighting everything from recurring revenue models to the skyrocketing importance of digital marketing across industries. Of course, no conversation about agencies in 2025 is complete without discussing AI. Greg addresses the big question: Will AI kill agencies, or will it become a tool that accelerates their growth? He also shares why agencies may be entering a profit renaissance, with more opportunities than ever to scale and succeed.But it’s not all smooth sailing. Greg also breaks down the three main reasons why agencies struggle to sell and what founders can do to fix them. If you’ve ever wondered whether your agency has real exit potential, or if yo

Note: In this episode, Greg is interviewed by Matt and Liz Raad for the Digital Investor Show podcast. We’re sharing the interview here so that you don’t miss out on the useful M&A insights that Greg shares.Enjoy! Here’s why 2025 is Creating Unprecedented Opportunities for Online Business Buyers… Where are the biggest opportunities in buying and selling online businesses right now? In this interview, Matt sits down with Greg Elfrink, head of marketing at Empire Flippers who’s helped create over 100 millionaires, to share what’s working, what’s changed, and how to buy profitable online businesses in 2025.Greg reveals million-dollar lessons, stories, and actionable strategies for both beginners and experienced website investors. If you want to hear how to buy smart with Empire Flippers, listen to this episode. You Will Learn: How the current market reality is presenting online investors with hidden opportunities. How strategic buyers can negotiate deals in today’s market. How to renovate & improve mon

Social commerce has become one of the most powerful drivers of online revenue, and when combined with the right video marketing strategy, it can turn casual viewers into loyal buyers faster than ever. In this episode, we sit down with Eitan Koter, co-founder of Vimmi, to explore how brands can turn content into real revenue using the combined power of social commerce and video marketing. Eitan starts by sharing his background and the story behind Vimmi, a video commerce platform helping brands drive sales with shoppable video and live shopping across storefronts and social networks. He then defines social commerce in today’s context, explaining how it has evolved from simple “buy now” links to a full-scale ecosystem where video, community, and purchasing power merge seamlessly. For businesses wondering where to start, Eitan breaks down exactly how to launch your first social commerce videos, from choosing the right platforms to understanding your audience’s buying triggers. He introduces his powerful Content,

Traditionally, headcount equals scale. But in the age of AI, is this still true? In this episode, we’re joined by Amos Bar Joseph, the co-founder of Swan AI, the first autonomous business. Their goal? Reaching $30 million in ARR with just three founders and a powerful fleet of AI agents. Amos explains how he is building an enterprise-level business with just three employees, and how Swan AI’s autonomous business model is different from traditional AI-powered businesses. While most companies simply bolt AI onto existing workflows to automate repetitive processes, Swan AI is designed around agentic workflows, where AI agents operate with memory, goals, and decision-making capabilities. It’s not just automation; it’s intelligent delegation. Amos is quick to clarify: this isn’t about replacing humans, it’s about giving small teams superpowers. He explained how each agent is purpose-built to make their founders 100x more effective, by designing agents around them, rather than 1:1 replacing a hire. Amos explains ho

The rules of selling on Amazon have changed, and sellers who don’t adapt are paying the price in time, revenue, and sometimes, their entire account. In this episode, we’re joined by John Cavendish, the founder of Seller Candy, an agency that deals with Seller Support on behalf of Amazon sellers.We dive into what’s really going wrong behind the scenes of Amazon businesses with someone who sees it all from the inside. From shifting product launch strategies to the overlooked support issues that sabotage sellers, we uncover the patterns that can quietly erode your success. We explore the most common launch mistakes Amazon sellers make, why account suspensions are on the rise, and what proactive steps you can take to protect your account’s health before it’s too late. If you want to launch smarter, avoid suspension triggers, and get ahead of account health issues before they escalate, this episode is packed with essential insights. Topics Discussed in this episode: How launching a product on Amazon has changed

Not every SaaS success story starts with a multi-million-dollar seed round. While flashy headlines highlight startups raising big in Silicon Valley, most founders are left asking a far more practical question: Should I bootstrap, or go after funding? In this episode, we’re joined by Denise Edwards, the founder of SaaS Launch, a platform that helps early-stage SaaS founders secure the right kind of capital and avoid the wrong kind of investor. We dive into the different types of funding available to SaaS founders and explain the real trade-offs between raising capital vs bootstrapping. Denise breaks down dilutive vs non-dilutive funding and what those terms actually mean for your business long-term. But it’s not just about money. Denise highlights the intangible value investors can offer, like mentorship, industry connections, and strategic insights, that often outweigh the dollar signs. We also tackle some of the biggest myths and misconceptions founders believe about fundraising. Finally, Denise walks us thr

What if scaling your SaaS didn’t require burning out or selling your soul to venture capital? In this episode, Greg sits down with seasoned SaaS founder, author, and startup mentor Rob Walling for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build a sustainable, sellable SaaS business. Rob kicks things off by sharing how he stumbled into SaaS before it was cool, and how that journey led him to co-create TinySeed, an alternative funding model that puts founders first. He breaks down how TinySeed’s 12-month program works, who it’s for, and how it compares to traditional VC. But this episode isn’t just about funding, it’s about founder freedom. We dive deep into the psychological shifts that come with selling your business, how to recognize the right time to exit, and how to protect your energy both before and after a sale. Rob also shares the biggest traps SaaS founders fall into when chasing “growth at all costs” and the core traits he sees in founders who succeed. Whether you're bootstrapping, raising

As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” But for online business owners, taxes aren’t always so certain, especially when it comes to sales tax. In this episode, we’re joined by Jessica Rhoads. Jessica is an internationally experienced CPA and self-confessed “dumpster fire accountant” who specializes in helping business owners untangle messy tax situations. We cover the key types of taxes every entrepreneur should understand, and zoom in on the one that’s most commonly misunderstood, and most likely to derail a future exit: sales tax. Jessica breaks down how sales tax applies to non-tangible goods like SaaS products and apps, what triggers a sales tax nexus, and why ignoring it can lead to massive headaches during due diligence. She also shares insight on the best and worst states to set up your business from a tax standpoint, when to file a Voluntary Disclosure Agreement (VDA), and how to stay compliant if you’re selling across borders. If you're building

The golden age of affiliate sites may be behind us, but can affiliate sites still make good money? And are websites in general still a good investment? In this episode, Greg speaks with Nathan Hamilton, a former equity analyst who shifted into buying and growing online businesses. Nathan recently acquired dividend.watch, a dividend investing platform that helps users discover stocks, track income, and manage their portfolios in one place. Nathan explains how Google’s algorithm updates and the rise of AI have reshaped the affiliate landscape. While many content sites have struggled, he shares which strategies still work and what kinds of online businesses are best positioned for success today. He also walks through his acquisition process, what he looks for in a deal, how he evaluates growth potential, and why he moved away from affiliate sites in favor of more product-driven platforms. As a non-technical buyer, Nathan offers helpful lessons on managing a tech-heavy site without technical expertise. Drawing fr

AI is changing SEO as we know it. But what does this mean for SEO agencies?That is what Jerry Chen, Founder of ECF Marketing, joins us to discuss. Jerry brings his experience in SEO and marketing to unpack how AI is disrupting the traditional agency model. He predicts that as AI tools become more advanced, many marketing services, especially lower-ticket ones, will become cheaper and more commoditized as these tasks are increasingly fulfilled by AI agents. Agencies that fail to adapt may struggle, but those that evolve can thrive. It’s not all doom and gloom. As AI helps to reduce workloads and overheads, Jerry reminds us that it's only a matter of time until we see the first single-person unicorn. A business that hits at least a billion dollars in revenue, operated by one person and a bunch of AI agents. Greg and Jerry also explore the growing importance of personal branding. As AI-generated content floods the market, genuine human connection and authenticity will be what sets winning brands apart. If you'r

If you’ve ever had to deal with fake reviews sabotaging your Amazon business, you know how damaging and frustrating it can be. That’s why Shane Barker created TraceFuse, an AI-powered platform that helps Amazon sellers detect and remove negative reviews that violate Amazon’s policies, without you having to lift a finger. In this episode, Shane joins us to discuss how TraceFuse came to life, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at how Amazon’s rating and review system really works. We dive into how to spot fake reviews, the consequences of letting them slide, and which niches are the biggest targets for fake review attacks. According to Shane, “Reviews are the core of Amazon. They not only affect sales, they also affect your Best Seller ranking and your star rating. We’ve seen people lose anywhere from 10% to 50% of their sales because they dropped from 4.3 to 4.2 stars. If you're a seller, you need to really focus on reviews. They’re the biggest thing you've got going.” Shane also shares some of the most sur

Most entrepreneurs are so busy chasing new opportunities that they overlook the goldmine sitting right inside their own business. That’s where eCommerce growth expert Sabir Semerkant comes in. With 25 years of experience and over $1 billion in incremental sales under his belt, Sabir knows exactly where businesses are leaving money on the table. He uses that experience to help other businesses grow through his growth mastermind curse, Growth By Sabir.In this episode, Sabir walks us through the often-overlooked opportunities that can be unlocked through performance optimization. He explains the power of consistency and compound growth, showing how a simple 1% boost in key metrics each day can lead to almost 37x growth over a year. Much of this growth can be accessed from within your business, by using the resources and data already at your disposal. Sabir explains, “You don't see librarians driving Lamborghinis. They have access to all the knowledge in the library, but they're not using it. Many entrepreneurs

Many people talk about personal branding like it’s the golden ticket to success. But is it really the best way to grow a business?  There’s no doubt that having a strong personal brand can open doors. It helps you stand out, build trust, and connect with an audience. Entrepreneurs like Alex Hormozi have used their personal brands to create massive business opportunities. But here’s the catch—when your business revolves around you, scaling becomes a challenge. What happens when you want to step away? Or sell the business? Buyers don’t want a business that disappears when the owner does. They want systems, not personalities. In this episode, Greg breaks down the pros and cons of building a personal brand and whether it’s worth your time. He also shares alternative strategies, like focusing on building a great product or service first, as well as practical advice on how to balance personal branding with long-term business growth. If you’ve been wondering whether you need a personal brand to succeed, this episod

Is the AI boom just another bubble waiting to burst, or is it the start of a power wave of business opportunities? Well, that depends on how sustainable AI-driven businesses are in the long run.In this episode, Greg dives into the realities of AI-driven businesses—covering what makes them valuable, the risks buyers should watch out for, and whether AI businesses have long-term staying power. Greg explores how AI is being used in eCommerce, marketing agencies, and SaaS, and why some models succeed while others struggle. With rapid advancements, AI businesses can scale quickly, but they also face challenges like dependence on third-party technology, evolving regulations, and increasing competition.Thinking about selling your AI business? We cover what buyers are actually looking for—like strong recurring revenue and proprietary data. And if you’re considering buying an AI business, Greg shares tips on how to spot real opportunities and avoid risky deals. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or just curious

Great entrepreneurs don’t just wait for opportunities, they create them. That’s exactly what Tim Swieter did. It all started when Tim was searching for storage containers for his home workshop. He quickly realized that the Systainer market in the U.S. had a major gap. Instead of just moving on, he saw an opportunity. So, he reached out to the international owners of Systainer with a proposition - he wanted to become their U.S. distributor. Fast-forward a few years, and what started as a side hustle turned into the largest Systainer distribution business in the country. Then came the ultimate full-circle moment: Tim sold the business back to Systainer’s owners, walking away with a lucrative payday and a wealth of experience. In this episode, Tim shares the inside story—how he identified an overlooked niche, built brand recognition and trust, and scaled his business. He also opens up about the challenges of selling, the unexpected hurdles he faced, and what it’s really like to stay involved as a consultant post

Marketplaces are notoriously hard businesses to run and build. We would know.Running a marketplace means constantly balancing two sides—the buyers and the sellers. If one side struggles, the whole thing falls apart.Chris M. Walker has cracked the code of this delicate dance. As the founder of Legiit, a thriving freelance marketplace for businesses, agencies, and SEOs, he’s learned how to make both sides of the equation work in harmony. In this episode, we sit down with Chris to unpack the operational challenges of running a double-sided marketplace. He shares the lessons he's learned, the mistakes he’s made, and the strategies that helped Legiit become a trusted platform for freelancers.One of the biggest takeaways? The power of company culture. Scaling a business means founders can’t do everything themselves. Chris believes a strong, well-aligned remote team is the key to keeping things running smoothly—even when you’re not in the room. He prioritizes culture to make sure his team is not just working but thr